October 11 2014 - Nithyanandapedia

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October 11 2014

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Evening puja at an open-air temple pavilion lit by flames and smoke. A central figure in an orange robe sits before a large decorated deity murti garlanded with yellow and red flowers, while a bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands nearby by a small fire. Seated in rows on the floor, many devotees in white clothes with red-and-saffron shawls press palms together in prayer. A second flower-decked deity murti stands at the right, and a gold-and-red ceremonial palanquin sits at the upper left. Some devotees wear rudraksha-style red beaded necklaces. The scene conveys a homa-style ritual worship with offerings and oil lamps.

A night-time homa at an open-air ashram hall. A sacred fire burns on a raised platform before a decorated deity murti shrine with an arched gold canopy, flanked by ritual items. Priests in white dhotis and bare-chested figures stand and kneel around the fire. Seated devotees in white clothing and red shawls sit on mats and white plastic chairs in the foreground, with several children among them. A red-and-gold throne-like seat stands at the right, where a figure in orange and red robes is seated. Plain red walls and a stepped structure form the backdrop.

Night outdoor ritual before a shrine decorated with marigold garlands, a gold-framed arch and a deity murti. A fire burns in a gold-covered homa platform with offering vessels around it. Two priests in saffron-orange robes perform the rite at the left, one seated and one standing with a vessel. A seated figure in saffron clothing sits on a red-upholstered throne at the right, facing the fire, with attendants in white and orange nearby. Dozens of seated devotees in white, cream, pink, green and patterned saris and kurtas face the ritual from the foreground on mats.

Night outdoor ritual at an open-air shrine. Seated devotees in white clothes with red sashes face a raised platform where a figure in orange robes sits before a deity murti garlanded with flowers and a red cloth, while another priest in white holds a lit flame aloft beside a second garlanded deity. Brass plates, offerings and a small fire glow on the platform. The page labels the event a Ganapathy Homa and a padapuja, but the visible scene shows lamps and flowers only.

Night outdoor ritual at a temple-like open stage with a tin roof. A deity murti stands in a golden arched frame decorated with marigold garlands and flowers, set on a red-draped platform with a kalasha-like brass vessel and oil lamps. Two priests in saffron/orange robes perform puja; one in front seated on a mat, another standing behind holding a lamp or aarti flame. Around fifty devotees sit on the floor in white and pastel clothes, with women in saffron and pink saris and some with braided hair. A red-cushioned chair stands empty to the right. Several people sit in the background near musical instruments.

Evening puja in an open-sided pavilion at night. A large floral-garlanded deity murti stands at left beneath a garland arch, and a clay-style Ganesha murti sits decorated with red and yellow flower garlands at right, with a small framed portrait on a chair beside it. Central altar with lit oil lamps and a kalasha-style setup on a decorated stand. Shirtless and saffron-clad priests stand at the altar, while a seated group of devotees in white clothes with orange or red shawls sits on mats in the foreground, and several more people are seated along the sides. Plates of fruit and offerings lie on a tray at left.

July 09 2013

Night photograph of a padapuja or homa-style ritual at an outdoor temple-like space. Dozens of devotees in white clothes with red and orange sashes sit cross-legged on mats facing a raised platform. Two priests sit at the platform: one in saffron-orange robes on the left and one in a dark maroon robe in the centre, with oil lamps and offerings in front of them. A third man in white stands to the right. Two large deity murti decorated with flower garlands stand behind on the steps, with a framed photograph on a stand at the right and an orange armchair beside it. Many devotees wear red and orange garlands. Some sit in the front rows with their backs to the camera.

Night-time temple ritual in a pillared hall. Seated devotees in white clothes with red shawls face a decorated deity murti garlanded with flowers at the left, and an ornate flower-covered shrine with a lit oil lamp on the right. Two white-clad priests stand near the shrine. A seated figure in a red-brown robe sits on a raised platform behind a microphone, facing the shrine. A standing attendant in orange robes is at the far left. Offerings and brass vessels are arranged on the platform.

July 19 2013

October 11 2014

Outdoor temple courtyard ritual with a sacred fire pit in front of a decorated deity murti garlanded with bright flower necklaces and draped in red and orange fabric, flanked by two stone figures. Seated devotees in white and orange-red garments, with red shoulder cloths, face the fire. A shirtless priest in white dhoti at left tends the fire with a long ladle. At right, a bald man with ash markings on his forehead, wearing a rudraksha mala and ornate orange cloth, sits on a striped mat holding a microphone beside an empty red and gold throne. Other people in white and pastel clothing sit in the foreground. Several people are visible; the total is in the 21-100 range.